Where to shop for the best deals

Moira McCarthyWednesday, December 19, 2012

comments

The Internet makes it easier and easier to find great deals on lift tickets, hotels, combos and more. As is always best in looking for ski and ride deals today, planning ahead is the best move you can make.

Here are some suggestions on how and where to find deals for the upcoming snowy holiday week.

• The Ski New Hampshire website: Today is the day to click on there because one of its best deals for the holiday week is going only through Dec. 20. There you’ll find a page dedicated to all the lift ticket deals in New Hampshire throughout the season, but for this week, you’ll want to zoom in on the “Holiday 4-Pack” deal. With that, you save $10-$26 off any daily ticket during that period. And here’s a great addition: those tickets are fully transferable, so they can totally be gifted, meaning while you are on the site buying for your own holiday week escape, the spirit can move you to gift one to a friend as well.

• Liftopia: If you are one of the few to still have not checked out this amazing way to purchase lift tickets ahead of time, for heaven’s sake, it’s time. Not checking Liftopia first is like, well, it’s like still skiing on your 205 straight skis with safety strap bindings. I mean, why would you? Holiday week is even hot for the deals there now. Liftopia co-founder and CMO Ron Schneidermann believes considering skiing on Christmas Day is a great move. “While Christmas week is historically the busiest time of the ski season, on Christmas Day itself, skiers and riders who venture out are treated to short lift lines and wide open slopes since most people are celebrating the holiday indoors. In order to help make up for this lower demand and entice folks out on the hill, our ski area partners offer some of their most compelling deals of the year, which is evident in the deep discounts you’ll find in this sale.” Look for deep discounts for that day and the days after, including deals at nearby Ragged Mountain, Burke Mountain in Vermont, Stratton Vermont and Bolton Valley (where you can ski or ride for just $25).

Oh, and while you are on Liftopia, take their cool “Where I’ve skied” challenge.

• Massachusetts Tourism site: Now, all the Massachusetts ski resort deals and information can be found in one easy spot. There you can find deals for the holiday week as well as for season-long choices (now there’s a holiday gift!). The new site, which debuted last week, provides access to information on 12 ski location listings, conditions and social media updates. It will also be launching an Instagram contest where participants can enter to win ski passes to Massachusetts mountains.

There’s also information for those interested in winter activities other than skiing and snowboarding.

• Get connected overall: Facebook. Twitter. Instagram. If you’re not on them, you are missing out on deals and prizes. Sign up, even if it’s just to stay connected with your favorite resorts. Don’t know how to use them? Ask a kid. They are the true experts. The truth is, if you are not on these social media sites, you’re missing out. It’s time. Just do it.